Recent Blog Posts by Jason Neumann

January 2012 Buyers Survey Results For Kelowna And Central Okanagan Real Estate

Below is a recently released Buyers Agents survey by OMREB (Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board).  A total of 119 real estate agents participated in this survey – representing 58% of the 207 OMREB sales representatives who acted as Buyers Agents and 40% of the 297 deals closed on behalf of Buyers in January. JANUARY SURVEY SUMMARY Property Type: 23.6% by First Time Buyers ...

Big News from BC Ministry of Finance regarding HST Rebates

The B.C. government is giving home buyers and builders a more solid foundation for the transition out of the harmonized sales tax, and says it will officially return to the provincial sales tax by April 1, 2013. In the meantime, the government will raise the HST rebate threshold for new home buyers to $850,000, up from the current $525,000. That means more than 90 per cent of newly built homes ...

Buyers Guide To Understanding Foreclosure and Court Ordered Sales In Kelowna and Okanagan

Foreclosure: A foreclosure is the legal process by which a mortgagee, or other lien holder, usually a lender, obtains a termination of a mortgagor's equitable right of redemption, either by court order or by operation of law (after following a specific statutory procedure). Court Ordered Sale: A Court Ordered Sale is the legal process where the BC Provincial Court is petitioned to approve ...

Kelowna,BC and Central Okanagan Foreclosure Stats March 2011

There are currently 84 active foreclosures (as of April 7,2011) amongst the entire listing inventory for the Central Okanagan.  There are 4,423 active listings this month (including the 84 foreclosure properties) versus 4,108 listings last month, a 7.67% increase in overall inventory levels. Active Foreclosure Inventory Breakdown: 6 Lots and Acreages ...

Kelowna and Central Okanagan Foreclosure Stats for October/November 2010

There are currently 104 active foreclosures (as of November 14,2010) amongst the entire listing inventory for the Central Okanagan.  There are 4,307 current active listings reporting at this time including the 104 foreclosure properties. Foreclosure Inventory breakdown: 8 Lots and Acreages (Ranging in value from $95,000 to $1.75 Million) 3 Manufactured ...

Vision Based Marketing in Kelowna,BC - Get Connected to More™

Get Connected to More™ with Century 21 Canada's latest Internet Based Marketing System: CENTURY 21 CANADA WEB PLATFORM: CENTURY 21 CANADA I-PHONE APP: To learn more about my "Online Marketing Program" for Sellers please visit: What I will do to sell your home.  If you are a first time or seasoned Buyer please visit my blog: Automatic Email ...

Current Okanagan Foreclosure List and Sales for July 2010

There are currently 82 active foreclosures (as of August 11,2010) amongst the entire listing inventory for the Central Okanagan.  There are 5125 current active listings reporting at this time including the 82 foreclosure properties. The foreclosure inventory breakdown is as follows: 8 Lots and Acreages (Ranging in value from $95,000 to $1.75 Million) 1 Manufactured ...

June 2010 Real Estate Market Review of Central Okanagan MLS Listing Inventory

Current Active Central Okanagan MLS Listing Inventory as of June 22,2010: Single Family Dwellings - 2354 properties including 8 pending offers ranging in value from $267,900 to $774,900   Strata - Condos - 1201 properties with 2 pending offers of $229,900 and $399,900 respectively Strata - Townhomes - 563 properties with no ...

Looking for the latest news on Kelowna and Okanagan Real Estate Listings?

Are you tired and frustrated with researching a home to purchase in Kelowna or the Okanagan region?  Looking for a better way to search out homes and stay on top of the local real estate market?  Need some guidance as to the best areas, neighbourhoods, schools and nearby amenities?  If you answered yes to any or all of these questions then you may want to consider signing up for ...

Kelowna,BC and Central Okanagan Foreclosure Stats for May 2010

There are currently 83 active foreclosures (as of May 24,2010) amongst the entire listing inventory for the Central Okanagan.  That is a 36% increase in the foreclosure inventory from last month. The foreclosure inventory breakdown is as follows: 11 Lots and Acreages (Ranging in value from $39,500 to $1.75 Million) 0 Manufactured Homes currently ...

Kelowna,BC and Central Okanagan Foreclosure Stats for April 2010

There are currently 61 active foreclosures (as of April 21,2010) amongst the entire listing inventory for the Central Okanagan.  That is a decrease of 3 properties in the foreclosure inventory from last month. The foreclosure inventory breakdown is as follows: 6 Lots and Acreages ($114,900 to $1.22 Million) with no pending sales 0 Manufactured ...

Understanding the Changes to the Rules for Canadian Government Insured Mortgages

There are now new rules for home buyers looking to qualify for high-ratio mortgages and/or investment properties.  There seems to be a some misconceptions out there as to how these new rules affect buyers today.  I recently spoke with Julie Weimer an RBC Mortage Specialist and she kindly provided me the following information: Changes to the Rules for Government Insured Mortgages: ...

Does renting really make sense in today's real estate market?

The idea of paying someone else's mortgage and helping them build equity in their property really doesn't make a lot of good financial sense!  As a long term renter, you are literally throwing away tens of thousands of dollars of your hard earned money instead of creating a forced savings plan by way of having a mortgage.  I have chatted with many renters over the years ...

Kelowna,BC Foreclosure Listing Information for March 2010

There are currently 64 foreclosures (as of March 22,2010) amongst the entire listing inventory for the Central Okanagan.  That is a increase of 3 properties in the foreclosure inventory from last month. The foreclosure inventory breakdown is as follows: 2 Lots and Acreages (both at $115,000) with no pending sales 1 Manufactured Homes ($125,000) with ...

Central Okanagan MLS Listing Inventory and Sales for February 2010

Current Active Central Okanagan MLS Listing Inventory as of March 28,2010: Single Family Dwellings - 1916 properties (393 more properties or a 25.80% increase from February) including 11 pending offers ranging in value from $348,800 to $649,000   Strata - Condos - 1088 properties (157 more properties or a 16.86% increase from February) with 2 pending ...

Okanagan Buyer's Corner

Whether you are a first time buyer, moving up in the real estate market, or downsizing, it is important to have an experienced, qualified sales representative working for you. Choosing a Real Estate Professional is one of the most important decisions you will make to ensure the success of your venture.  As your "Local Expert" my market knowledge will help you select the property that meets ...

Now that you have removed your subject conditions what comes next?

Post Subject Removal Checklist: Choose a Lawyer or Notary to handle the conveyancing of your home purchase.  If unsure as to who you should hire then ask your Realtor® for a list of recommended names. Ask your lawyer or notary what you should expect to pay for Closing Costs. Also, be sure to ask them any general questions that you may have at that time. Ask ...

New Canadian mortgage rules take effect April 19,2010

I was recently sent this article by Karen Shale a local mortgage broker with LendingMax here in Kelowna.  Karen offers a straight to the point and excellent explanation of each of the new federal lending rules that were recently announced by Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance.  These new lending regulations take effect April 19,2010.  Here's the article: Here is the official announcement ...

Kelowna,BC Central Okanagan Current MLS Listing Inventory and Sales for January 2010

Current Active Central Okanagan MLS Listing Inventory as of February 8,2010: Single Family Dwellings - 1523 properties (a 15.12% increase from January) including 17 pending offers ranging in value from $284,900 to $999,000   Strata - Condos - 931 properties (a 1.48% decrease from January) with 1 pending offer at $174,800 Strata - Townhomes - 369 ...

Mortgage Document Checklist for Home Buyers

  Whether you are considering buying a new home or refinancing your existing mortgage, important personal information and documents will be required by lenders.  This checklist gives an overview of the necessary documentation that most Canadian lenders require prior to approving and funding a mortgage.  By providing these documents in a timely fashion, you will ...

Kelowna,BC and Central Okanagan Foreclosure Listing Information for February 2010

There are currently 61 foreclosures (as of February 7,2010) amongst the entire listing inventory for the Central Okanagan.  That is a decrease of 14 properties (-22.95%) in the foreclosure inventory from last month. The foreclosure inventory breakdown is as follows: 2 Lots and Acreages (both at $115,000) with no pending sales 2 Manufactured Homes ($79,000 ...

Fighting Mold - A Homeowner’s Guide

Mold can be a serious health risk to any homeowner and the sooner it is detected the better.  Having personally lived in a home that had mold in the laundry room I can tell you first hand that it is not something to take lightly.  To remediate and repair the affected areas I had to rip out out all the drywall and insulation in the entire room.  This work had to be done as ...

Kelowna,BC Central Okanagan Current MLS Listing Inventory and Sales for December 2009

Current Active Central Okanagan MLS Listing Inventory as of January 10,2010: Single Family Dwellings - 1323 properties (a 12.17% decrease from December) including 12 pending offers ranging in value from $49,900 to $15.9M    Strata - Condos - 945 properties (a 11.96% decrease from December) with no pending offers ranging in value from $62,400 ...

Top 10 Things Not to Do Before Closing

Buying a home can be stressful at times especially when it comes to obtaining suitable financing.  Mortgage Brokers warn of making radical changes to your finances during the due diligence period and prior to completing.  Here is some practical advice for Buyers to avoid causing themselves unneccessary headaches prior to completing their home purchase.  The Top 10 Things not ...

Some great Stock Market insights for Canadian Investors

Central banks around the world have pushed their lending rates to historic lows in an effort to stave off a total global financial and economic collapse.  As a result interest rates have remained for the most part at these low levels with many investors trying to take advantage of other's mistimed purchases. 2010 will likely be the year when everything changes... Here’s ...